ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 102

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

211th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED JANUARY 26, 2004

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman LORETTA WEINBERG

District 37 (Bergen)

SYNOPSIS

    Designates April 2004 as "Autism Awareness Month" in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

    As introduced.

An Assembly Resolution designating April 2004 as "Autism Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey.

Whereas, Autism ranks third, behind mental retardation and cerebral palsy, as the most common childhood developmental disability; and

Whereas, According to estimates by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of autism is between 4.0 and 6.7 per 1,000, with boys being three to four times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with this disorder; and

Whereas, Autism is found in every country and region of the world, and in families of all racial, ethnic, religious and economic backgrounds; and

Whereas, Autism, which is often called autism spectrum disorder in order to reflect the wide range of disabilities and intensity of symptoms associated with it, is a complex neurological abnormality that manifests itself uniquely in each child that it affects, and is characterized by communication difficulties, social interaction problems and the need for sameness or repetition in behavior; and

Whereas, In addition to the loss of personal potential, the cost of health and educational services to persons with autism exceeds $3 billion annually; and

Whereas, The State of New Jersey has recognized the importance of investing in research, diagnosis and treatment of this disorder through the enactment of the "New Jersey Infantile Autism Biomedical Research Act," P.L.1999, c.105 (N.J.S.A.30:6D-56 et seq.); and

Whereas, April is National Autism Awareness Month, which is the autism community's spotlight on autism awareness; and

Whereas, The Autism Society of America has been celebrating autism awareness with special events since 1972 when it first asked the United States Congress to set aside a special time to recognize autism; and, since that time, autism awareness has grown from a week-long to a month-long observance; and

Whereas, The New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community, Inc., is spearheading an awareness effort in this State during the month of April in order to educate parents, professionals and the general public about autism and its effects, and is to be commended for its activities on behalf of those with autism and their families in New Jersey; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. This House hereby designates the month of April 2004 as "Autism Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey.

    2. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Autism Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.

STATEMENT

    This resolution designates the month of April 2004 as "Autism Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey and requests the Governor to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs.